KUWAIT: Kuwait participated in the Kochi Dialogue 2025 to boost relations between India and Kuwait. The event, held in the southern Indian state of Kerala, was also held to cement cooperation between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Kuwait Embassy in India told KUNA that Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi participated in the Kochi Dialogue held on January 16-17.
The event, considered the first of its kind to deepen cooperation between India and the GCC, was organized by the Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi, in collaboration with the Indian ministry of external affairs under the theme ‘India’s Look West Policy in Action: People, Prosperity and Progress’. Kuwaiti Ambassador Meshal Mustafa Al-Shemali said that the dialogue would help both sides to enhance cooperation in several areas of mutual interest including energy, trade and investment, defense, security, healthcare, food and cybersecurity.
The dialogue is also a new platform to create promising multi-faceted future visions that bring together the GCC countries and India. The two-day dialogue was attended by senior officials from India and the Gulf countries, including government officials, ambassadors and businessmen, to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.
The discussions focused on five pivotal topics related to India’s relations with the Gulf, including trade, economy, investments, strategic maritime partnerships, education, healthcare, technology, outreach to the diaspora and cooperation and innovation in the field of energy. Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh inaugurated the dialogue, while the Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi delivered a special speech on the occasion of the launch of the Kochi Dialogue 2025.
Al-Budaiwi emphasized the deep-rooted historical ties and strategic partnerships between the GCC states and India across various sectors, stating that both sides constantly strive to strengthen these partnerships. The GCC Secretary General highlighted the event’s significance in fostering cooperation between India and the GCC. He described the dialogue as a real opportunity and valuable platform for exploring mutually beneficial areas of collaboration, facilitating exchange between policymakers, diplomats, researchers, thinkers and public and private sector investors.
Al-Budaiwi stressed the crucial role of the strategic partnership between the GCC and India in key areas such as trade, energy, technology and education in achieving economic stability, regional prosperity and collaborative efforts to address global economic challenges like climate change and food security. Moreover, he emphasized that joint GCC-India efforts will be fundamental to achieving sustainable economic and social development.
He further detailed the long-standing historical relationship between the Gulf and India, dating back centuries. He noted India’s importance as a vital trading partner for the Gulf region since the 18th century, particularly in trade, culture, and education, with Bombay (now Mumbai) serving as a major economic hub for Gulf traders. Al-Budaiwi also acknowledged the strong human and cultural ties, and the contributions of prominent Gulf figures to educational and charitable institutions in India, further strengthening cultural bonds.
Looking ahead, Al-Budaiwi’s key areas for future focus include collaboration in technology and innovation within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He underscored the importance of cooperation in artificial intelligence, fintech, and renewable energy for sustainable development. He also stressed the need to prioritize combating climate change and enhancing food security, advocating for the development of sustainable food supply chains and new technologies for water resource management.
He also addressed the ongoing free trade negotiations between the GCC and India, underscoring the importance of accelerating these talks to remove trade barriers, open new markets, and enhance cooperation in digital economies and industrial transformation. On the economic front, he noted the significant growth in trade relations between the GCC and India in recent years.
“Bilateral trade reached approximately $174.2 billion in 2022, representing about 11.3 percent of the GCC’s total trade. GCC exports to India totaled around $90.8 billion, reflecting India’s importance as a key trading partner,” Al-Budaiwi highlighted. He also pointed out that Gulf investments in India have exceeded $5.72 billion, contributing significantly to economic development and growth in both regions, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth, making India a vital strategic partner for the GCC.
In conclusion, Al-Budaiwi expressed optimism about the future of GCC-India relations, emphasizing that these ties, built on a long history of collaboration, are now focused on addressing global challenges requiring the highest levels of cooperation and harmony among nations.